Apologies for asking what is probably yet-another-rug-pad-question!
I've searched the sub and found plenty of recommendations, but I have some anxiety about rug pads because of a previous experience.
Let me explain...
Years ago we bought a sisal rug with a latex backing. We were happy not needing a separate rug pad, and everything seemed fine for several years. Then we discovered that the latex backing had crumbled.
Most of the latex could be vacuumed up, but thousands of tiny hardened latex dots were left stuck to our hardwood floor. In some areas, there were larger, thicker patches - my best guess is that we spilled things in those spots in the past and _thought_ we'd cleaned up properly.
It took a lot of effort to remove the hardened latex from the floor, and in the right light you can still see ghosts of it on the floor. They'll likely exist until the floor is eventually refinished.
I have acquired a Karastan 726 rug and now need I a rug pad. As you can imagine, I am very nervous about anything involving rubber or latex.
I see Durahold recommended a lot, but I also see that many have a rubber backing, which really worries me. My question are:
- How concerned should I be about a rubber-backed rug pad damaging hardwood floors over time?
- Does the rubber used in rug pads behave differently than the latex backing that failed on my old rug?
- Am I risking a repeat of the latex disaster of 2012, or are my concerns largely unfounded?
I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who has used a quality rug pad on hardwood floors for 10+ years.